The following evening, Isa was nervous as hell while preparing that night’s dinner. Aven and Tarius would be arriving any moment, and while Liam and Demir got along like long-lost friends, Isa knew Aven was more resistant to the idea of Isa taking Liam in. Aven had been raised well enough to not be outright rude, but Isa needed all his sons to accept Liam.

Especially if I ever hope to claim him.

Spending all day around Liam had cemented a fact that Isa had tried denying during his previous, brief encounters with the man: Isa felt the mating bond with Liam. It wasn’t as strong as when he’d first felt it with Herris, but that could be attributed to any number of things, from Liam’s pregnancy to Isa having already mated once. But he did feel it, and he was almost certain Liam reciprocated.

The problem was timing. Liam needed time and space to heal from his ordeal, and he needed to focus on himself and his growing child. He did not need an alpha twenty years his senior trying to seduce him, and Isa had no idea if the age gap was something they could overcome. Or if his boys would ever accept a new omega in Isa’s life.

First, he had to get them all to accept Liam as his houseguest, never mind as his mate.

Isa had never been much of a cook, but he could follow a recipe, and he had Herris’s carefully constructed recipe book in his possession. One of these days he’d take it down to the printer and get copies made so his boys each had one when they eventually settled down and married.

A family favorite had always been Herris’s spaghetti pie, so Isa had constructed that and had it baking in the oven, with a tray of garlic bread on top of the stove, waiting for his oldest two’s arrival before toasting it up. He’d put together a salad, had a bottle of wine breathing, and grape juice was chilling for Liam and Demir. Demir had set the table for four a few minutes ago. All they needed were the final guests to—

The front door opened with a familiar rattle. He’d lost track of Liam, but the hum of voices down the hall suggested introductions were already taking place. Isa put the garlic bread in, then strode toward the sound. Liam and his boys were all in the foyer, taking off coats and shaking hands. Tarius had a big grin on his face, but Aven seemed more cautious.

Isa hugged them both, then asked Demir to get everyone drinks. “Dinner will be ready in about five minutes.”

Liam initiated conversation by asking Aven what he was studying, despite knowing already, and Aven launched into his favorite topic—himself. He was still going as Isa deposited food on the dining table, and eventually Tarius got to talk about his own plans for university while food went around.

Isa had a gravy boat with extra sauce, because Tarius liked his spaghetti pie super-saucy, and Liam took a bit extra, too. Liam’s plate had a healthy portion of the pie and two pieces of bread, but only a little bit of the salad. Isa was curious about that, but not alarmed. Some people didn’t like lettuce.

Liam kept all four of them engaged in conversations that mostly revolved around each other, and he didn’t do much talking himself. Which was a good tactic when meeting new people—assess them, get to know them, figure out what they did and didn’t like.

He’d make a smart constable if such a thing was possible.

Omegas couldn’t attend university, much less the constabulary academy. A year ago, that wouldn’t have even tripped Isa’s radar, but now he saw how unfair that law truly was. Unfair and limiting to omegas across the province who might have something to contribute to his profession.

“Dad?”

He snapped his head in Tarius’s direction. “Yes?”

“I asked if this was Omegin’s recipe.”

“It is, yes. I have all his old recipes, and while I know I never used to cook much, I’d like to do it more often. Especially for all of you.”

Liam ducked his head.

“That’s be cool,” Tarius said. “Me and Aven order delivery so much that a home-cooked meal once in a while would be awesome.”

“You know you’re both still welcome here any time. This is your home, too.”

“Yeah.”

Demir beamed at his older brother. Aven simply nodded, his expression difficult to decipher. He’d been hard to read all evening, but he’d also been exceedingly polite to Liam, for which Isa was forever grateful. Liam had been a bit skittish today, but that was to be expected for a young omegin-to-be in a new environment. Liam hadn’t had a very stable life these past seven months, and Isa wanted him to settle in and feel comfortable here.

He wanted Liam to feel like he was home.

Near the end of the meal Demir, who never had much of a filter, asked Liam, “So I guess you don’t know who the baby’s sire is, huh?”

Liam nearly flung his fork across the table, his startled eyes blinking hard.

“Demir,” Isa warned.

“Shit, sorry. I mean crap.” Demir flinched. “That was stupid, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Liam said. “And no, I don’t know who he is, and I honestly don’t care. He’ll never be a part of this child’s life, whether I keep him or not.”

“You’re considering adoption?” Aven asked.

“Yes. I didn’t ask for any of this. I’ll carry this baby to term, but I’m not sure I’m ready to be an unmated omegin. He’ll probably be better off with a loving beta couple who can give him the life he deserves.”

“And you don’t have to live with a reminder of what happened to you?”

Liam shrugged. “That’s part of it. It’s not as if I’ll ever forget.”

Isa studied the sympathetic way Aven was watching Liam now, curious at the change in his eldest. He thought back to the day Aven had been suspended at fifteen for standing up for himself, and deep down he started to worry. Had something happened that Aven never told him about? Had Herris known?

The conversation shifted, and eventually Demir and Tarius began clearing the table and loading the dishwasher. Liam retired to the living room to relax, and before Aven could join him, Isa cornered him in the foyer.

“You were very sympathetic toward Liam at the end,” Isa said softly. “Considering how resistant you were at first.”

Aven shrugged. “He’s a nice guy and he went through hell. Plus, he’s the same age as Tarius, and I’d freak if anything like that happened to him. Or Demir.”

“So would I. And you know if you ever need to tell me anything, you can. I won’t judge you.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Really, Aven, I mean it.”

Aven must have seen something in Isa’s eyes, because his own went wide. “Oh hell, Dad, no, nothing like that’s ever happened to me.” He bit his lower lip. “A friend of mine…at a party, he, uh, got into a bad situation, and it was hard watching him deal.”

“I’m so sorry your friend was hurt. Did he report it?”

“To campus security, yeah, and no, I’m not telling you anything else, because I really shouldn’t have said anything at all.”

“Thank you for trusting me with that much. I’ve just seen so many abuse cases this past year, and it’s hard not to project. Or wonder. I love all you boys so much, and all I want is for you to have a safe and happy life.”

“I know. Liam deserves that, too.”

“Yes, he does. Come on.” He slung his arm around Aven’s shoulders and led him into the living room.

Once the others joined them, Demir brought out an assortment of board games, and they spent several hours playing, joking, and acting very much like a family. Even Liam seemed completely relaxed by the time Tarius and Aven left.

Isa went to bed that night grateful that Liam was under his roof, and that the goddess was keeping all his men safe.

* * *

Liam’s first week in Isa’s home went by quickly, and he loved every minute of it. Demir and he got along perfectly, and Isa was as generous and respectful as Liam expected. Sometimes it disappointed him that this perfect alpha didn’t feel the bond, but mostly he enjoyed having a stable life again.

Leaving the house alone the first time had been terrifying, but he’d worn a hat and sunglasses, and Isa had given him a keychain with a small can of mace on it for protection. Plus, his pregnancy and muddled scent would tell any interested alpha to stay away. Liam had started with walks around the block, before his desperation for information drove him farther.

He spent hours a day at the nearest library branch—which he could reach easily with a single bus stop in between—catching up on the world. The tragedies and triumphs. He read about the Lawry house bust and the disappearance of the rescued omegas. He read more about the Kell Iverson trial, and his insides ached with grief over what Kell had suffered at the hands of his mate. He read about his own case and the fight ring bust. He glommed every bit of information he could find.

And even though Isa had promised Liam didn’t need to do anything around the house, Liam hated feeling like a lazy bum, so he read Herris’s recipe book and volunteered to cook. Isa was home most days by five-thirty, so Liam took advantage. His own omegin had taught him the basics and a few of his own recipes, but Liam couldn’t bring himself to cook those yet.

And with home-cooked meals on offer, Demir was home most nights, and that seemed to delight Isa.

Braun called mid-week and invited him over to his house for a weekend brunch, adding that Constable Higgs was welcome, too.

“Might be odd for him to have brunch with two of his subordinates,” Liam said. “But I’ll ask.”

“Great! See you at eleven.”

As expected, Isa turned down the invitation. “Seems a bit like fraternizing,” Isa said, “and I don’t want my other officers to think I’m showing favoritism.”

You also don’t want people mistaking us for a couple.

Liam resented that a bit when Isa dropped him off in front of a single-story cottage, its driveway filled with cars. He hadn’t wanted to show up completely empty-handed, so he had a loaf of freshly baked cinnamon bread for his hosts.

Kell opened the door with a guarded smile that brightened a bit when he saw the bread. “Hey, come in.”

Three men he didn’t know were seated in the open living room space, and at first glance, Liam pegged them all as alpha, from their sizes, but the scents were wrong. A bearded, muscular man holding an infant smelled omega, and his scent was mixed with the young, blond alpha next to him.

He must be Jax.

In the rear of the place, Tarek and Braun were puttering around in the kitchen, Braun balancing Branson on his hip.

“Hey, guys,” Kell said to the living room trio. “This is Liam Haley.” He pointed to the black-haired, bronze-skinned man in an armchair. “Liam, that’s my mate Ronin Cross, the best lawyer in the province.”

Ronin stood to shake his hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Liam.”

Liam shook meekly. Despite these men being mated, they were still strange alphas, and Liam was at their mercy.

“That’s Constable Karter Jenks,” Kell continued, “and his mate, Jax Orris Jenks. And of course, their son Karson.”

“Hi there,” Karter said.

Jax handed Karson over to Karter, then stood. His left arm was in a sling, reminding Liam of Jax’s recent injuries from his kidnapping early last week. Jax approached Liam slowly, and Liam tried not to flinch at the man’s alpha-like size. But everything about Jax screamed kindness and love, and Liam didn’t pull back from Jax’s one-armed hug. A hug full of sympathy and understanding, and Liam found himself hugging his fellow omega back. Jax understood his pain.

“Hi, Jax,” Liam said. “I’m so glad you got away.”

Jax shuddered once, then released him. His pale eyes glistened with unshed tears, and he made gestures with his hands that Liam didn’t understand.

“He says he’s glad you’re free,” Kell translated.

“You can’t speak at all?”

Jax shook his head.

“Supposedly it was an accident,” Karter said with danger in his voice.

Liam snorted. “They just wanted us all to whisper and not be able to scream for help. I’m so sorry they took your voice completely.”

Jax gestured again.

“I’m sorry, too, but I can’t fix it,” Kell said. “All I can do is live with it.”

“But you can communicate, so that’s something,” Liam replied. “Do you all know that signal language?”

“Yes, but we’re constantly studying to learn new words and phrases. Us and some other mutual friends.”

“Speaking of mutual friends,” Braun said as he carried Branson over. “Some of ours are late.”

“Probably Dex’s fault,” Tarek said behind Braun. “You know he hates mornings.”

“It’s eleven. It’s practically afternoon.”

The doorbell rang, and Liam jumped at the unexpected sound. Tarek opened the door for two beta men, one of whom limped heavily and leaned on a single crutch, favoring his left leg. The knee was encased in some kind of brace.

“The hell, Dex?” Tarek said.

The limping beta glared at him. “Fucking knee gave out in the shower, and I fell. Bruised my hip and the knee got all swollen, so Serge took me to emergency to get it looked at.”

“Because the stubborn idiot canceled the doctor’s appointment it took him forever to make,” the blond beta who had to be Serge shot back.

“Why did you cancel?” Tarek asked.

Dex limped over to the nearest empty chair and sat with a long groan. “I felt better.”

“Liar.” Serge glared at Dex. “He’s scared that he might need surgery again to fix whatever’s wrong, so he’s avoiding his orthopedic specialist. Will someone smack some sense into him, please?”

Liam sucked in a sharp breath, and the two newcomers noticed him for the first time.

“So this comedy of errors right here,” Braun said, “are our friends Dex and Serge Freel. They’re married, if you couldn’t tell by the bickering.”

Serge’s entire demeanor shifted, his annoyance at his husband disappearing behind a gentle smile. “Hi, Liam. Sorry about that, but this is an ongoing battle with him.”

“I understand,” Liam replied. “It’s nice to meet you both.”

“And now that the latecomers are here,” Tarek said, “let’s eat.”

“You stay put,” Serge said to Dex. “I’ll get your food.”

Dex caught Serge’s hand before he could walk away, then pulled him down for a quick kiss. The affection between the pair was obvious, and it made Liam curious about them, and how they were friends with so many mated couples.

The two babies ended up in a playpen by the sofa, so everyone had free hands to help themselves to the buffet on the counter. Liam filled his plate, delighted by the selection of hot, cheesy, greasy comfort food. Earlier in the week, Isa had commented on his lack of interest in side salads, and Liam admitted he was indulging after all the super-healthy crap his captors had forced on him. Isa had understood and told Liam to indulge to his heart’s delight.

And he totally had.

The guests scattered between the living room and the small kitchen table. Liam wasn’t entirely sure where to sit, so he stayed in the kitchen, claiming one of the four chairs. He wasn’t surprised when the other three omegas joined him.

“So how’s it going at Constable Higgs’s house?” Braun asked.

“Goddess, Braun, you’re so nosy,” Kell replied.

“What? I’m curious, and he’s my friend. I want to make sure he’s okay living with an unmated alpha.”

“He is mated,” Liam replied.

“Technically, I guess, but his mate passed away.”

“He’s been nothing but kind to me. Demir and I get along great, and I met his other two sons. They’re really nice, too. I feel safe there.”

“Good.” Braun nodded smartly, then attacked his portion of quiche.

Jax made some gestures, which Kell translated. “He asked if the other omegas are safe?”

“They are,” Liam replied. “Laine was fostered the day after I was, Brogan two days after that. Jaysan took longer, but he seems to have a lot more anger and trust issues. The only omega still in the hospital is Reid, but he was really sick when he was rescued.”

Sick and heartbroken. After a week in ICU for sepsis, he’d been transferred to the isolation ward and into Liam’s old room, but according to a phone call with Jayson, Reid was grieving intensely for the baby he’d lost in childbirth. Liam had tried to visit him once, but Reid refused to see him.

It sucked a lot, because now that the other omegas had been fostered, Reid was all alone with his grief.

“I tried to visit him two days ago,” Braun said. “But he wouldn’t see me.”

“Same,” Liam said. “He’s grieving the loss of his baby.”

Kell turned to look at the playpen, as if needing to see that his son was exactly where he’d left him. It reminded Liam of something he’d read in the trial transcripts, about his mate adopting out Kell’s baby when he was an infant without Kell knowing. Liam couldn’t imagine the pain of that sort of loss, and he rubbed the side of his belly, over the life growing inside.

“And please don’t ask me if I’m keeping mine,” Liam continued. “I just don’t know.”

“You don’t have to know,” Kell said. “All of our situations are different. Jax and I were both carrying the child of our former mates. It isn’t the same.”

“Thank you.” He was so grateful to his new friends for understanding.

“Jax and I tend to spend our weekdays together, usually here. Braun has a part-time job, so he’s here some of the time. You’re welcome to visit, Liam, whenever you want. All of the omegas are.”

“Agreed,” Braun said. Jax nodded his approval.

“I appreciate that,” Liam said. “A lot. It’s nice having people I can count on again.”

And maybe one day, he’d be able to consider this wonderful, accepting group of friends his family.

Every man needs a dream.